Committee approves emergency ordinance requiring ventilation certifications for large nonresidential buildings

The Land Use and Transportation Committee on April 5 approved an emergency ordinance requiring property owners of high-rise buildings with 50,000 square feet or more of nonresidential floor area that use mechanical ventilation systems to certify that systems are operating in compliance with applicable laws, and to require businesses operating in those buildings to post certification notices in workspaces. The Department of Building Inspection (DBI) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) are directed to post complaint information on their websites and coordinate inspections.

Supervisor Safaie, lead sponsor, said the measure responded to janitors’ and frontline workers’ concerns about workplace ventilation and noted prior practice by DBI to respond to mechanical ventilation complaints within three days; the ordinance clarifies agency roles and requires DBI to be the primary responder with DPH follow-up within five days if needed. Safaie said DBI would provide a template certification posting to building operators.

Labor and building trades callers strongly supported the measure. Danny Campbell (Sheet Metal Workers Local 104) urged raising long-term standards and investments; RJ Sloan (SRO tenant representative) asked the Board to consider adding single-room-occupancy hotels given outbreak history. Callers representing unions and janitorial staff emphasized worker safety and the ordinance’s role as a first step.

Committee members approved non-substantive amendments clarifying DBI/DPH responsibilities and moved the emergency ordinance forward; the motion passed on roll call (2–0 recorded in the committee context, quorum noted).